2016-17 NBA Season Schedule and Possible Highlights: When Do Players Face Their Old Teams? Dwyane Wade vs. Miami Heat, Jeremy Lin vs. New York Knicks, Derrick Rose vs. Chicago Bulls
The schedule for the 2016-17 NBA season was already released last Wednesday and there are some interesting games that fans should mark on their calendars. Among these are the dates when some NBA stars would face their old team buddies while wearing the opponent's jersey.
After the disappointments and surprises of the free agency period, NBA fans from all across the globe are now looking forward to receiving the 2016-17 NBA season. The new season is set to showcase some revamped, strengthened or newly formed team-ups.
Dwyane Wade vs. Miami Heat
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One of the ugly breakups this free agency period has seen was between Wade and the Heat. Per ESPN, Wade played the first 13 years of his professional basketball career with the Heat and he made major contributions in assisting the team win three championships. Moreover, the 35-year-old shooting guard also achieved his superstardom under the wing of the Heat, containing the 2005-06 NBA Finals and 2009-10 All-Star Game MVP awards.
However, Wade surprised the NBA community this summer after he decided to leave his longtime team and ink a deal with the Chicago Bulls. His departure made the Heat to fully revamp their roster.
According to the schedule, Wade and the Bulls will face the Heat for the first time on Nov. 20 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. They are scheduled to play again on Dec. 10 and Jan. 27.
Derrick Rose vs. Chicago Bulls
Rose has played with the Bulls from 2008 to 2016 but the longtime partnership ended when the franchise traded him to the New York Knicks in June. It is among the surprising trades considering that the 27-year-old point guard started and nourished his career with the Bulls. Rose also achieved the NBA MVP award in 2011 while playing for the Bulls.
Rose will go against the Bulls for the first time on Nov. 4 at the United Center in Chicago. They are also slated to meet again in the court on Jan. 12 and April 4.
Jeremy Lin vs. New York Knicks
Technically, this is not the first time that Lin would face his former team considering that he played with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets in the past three seasons. However, Lin will always have a strong connection with the Knicks because he achieved his global fame in 2012 under the franchise.
It will be more interesting next season because the 27-year-old point guard is back in New York but this time, he will be playing with the Brooklyn Nets. Lin will once again face his old team buddies on Nov. 9 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. They are scheduled to play again on Feb. 1 and March 12.
